Billionaire At Sea

21

Damian

What in the hell is happening to me?

Here I was, getting ready to host a wild weekend of drunkenness, debauchery, and sin… and all I could think about was Mia. She’d managed to get under my skin in less than a week and I’d barely finalized my divorce with Marissa. As much as I wanted to believe that it was mostly about s*x, I knew that we’d connected on a level that was much more than that. Everything about her fascinated me, and the truth was that I’d have much rather spent the next couple of days getting to know her better, instead of entertaining Ransom’s bachelor party. At least there was next week. I only hoped that my son liked her. It was important to me that they got along.

Sighing, I headed to the bridge to see if the captain had arrived. I found him going over the itinerary with Jeff.

“Mr. Stryker,” he said, holding out his hand.

I shook it. “Welcome aboard, Charles. Great to see you again.”

“You as well,” he replied. “Are you excited about the trip?”

“Yes. Looking forward to it,” I replied.

“So, we’re setting sail around midnight, correct?” he asked, running a finger over his white moustache.

“Yes. After we kick the strippers off. You’re welcome to stop by and see some of the entertainment before setting sail.”

“Strippers? Hell, I’d love to, but I don’t know if my heart can take it,” he said, smiling.

Charles was in his sixties and had lost his wife within the last year to cancer. I knew he was lonely and missed her dearly.

“At least you’ll have a smile on your face if it gives out,” I said.

“I most certainly would indeed,” he replied. “Haven’t seen a stripper in many years.”

Neither had I, but after being with Mia, I didn’t care one way or another.

We talked more about the trip and then I left the bridge to wait for Marshall and Ransom.

***

“Ransom, it’s been too long.”

He shook my hand. “No s**t. Thanks again for hosting this party. You didn’t have to do that.”

“It’s my pleasure. And I know I didn’t, but I wanted to.”

“You’re a good friend,” he answered. “And those are hard to come by these days.”

“I hear you,” I said. “Speaking of friends, do you know when the rest of the party is set to arrive?”

“Everyone should be here by five,” he said, looking around. “Man, I’ve forgotten how large your yacht is.”

He’d been on it once before with his fiancée. “I purchased it when I was still with Marissa, about the time when I couldn’t stand being around her. I needed something that would put some distance between us,” I said, smiling.

He chuckled. “I don’t blame you. Well, still, it’s an amazing ship.”

“Thank you.”

Marshall, who’d been talking to one of Ransom’s security guards, walked over to us. “Where are the girls? I figured they’d be throwing rose petals at his feet the moment he boarded.”

“Girls?” Ransom asked.

“Our caterers. Don’t worry. They won’t be bothering you,” I said. “They’re fans but also professionals and will be staying out of everyone’s way.”

“Hell, I’m not worried,” he replied. “Unless one of them is named Lola Flannigan.”

“Who’s Lola Flannigan?” I asked.

“A psychotic, middle-aged loony who’s been stalking me. I had her arrested last month for trespassing. She somehow got into our home and scared the hell out of Tiffany. The woman is bat-s**t crazy.”

“She made it into your home?” I asked, surprised.

“Actually, Tiffany let her in. She thought Lola was there to adopt one of the stray animals she’d found. It didn’t take long before she realized that the woman was a nut-job. Then, when she tried kicking her out, Lola wouldn’t budge. She claimed that I was supposed to meet her there. Tiffany had to call the police.”

“I assume you’re pressing charges against this Lola person?” said Marshall.

“I was going to but Tiffany talked me out of it.” He ran a hand over his face. “She feels sorry for her.”

“Even after all of that?” I asked.

“Yeah. Lola has mental problems and Tiffany thinks it’s wrong to punish her for something that she can’t control.”

“Your wife-to-be is a saint,” I replied, already knowing Tiffany was a bleeding heart. Ransom had told me before that she was into taking in stray animals. “Speaking of which – how big is your farm now?”

He sighed. “Let’s see, we’ve got eight stray animals we’re trying to find homes for. Four dogs, two cats, a ferret, and a snake.”

Marshall grimaced. “Snake?”

“A boa. Don’t ask me where she found it. All I know is that Tiffany promised to get rid of the damn thing before I returned home on Monday.”

I knew Ransom hated snakes and the idea that he allowed Tiffany to care for one, even for just a little while, meant it really was true love.

“Well, you’re safe here. No snakes, stray animals, or fanatics named Lola,” Marshall replied.

“I’ll see it when I believe it. The woman turns up in the craziest places,” he replied.

“She shows up here and we’ll toss her overboard,” I said.

He grunted. “No shit.”

I patted him on the back. “Sounds like you could use a beer. Let me show you to your cabin and then we’ll grab a couple.”

“Sounds good,” he replied.

“I’ll watch for the other guests,” said Marshall.

“I also requested extra security,” I said. “They should be here any minute.”

“Extra security?” repeated Ransom.

“You just never know when you’re going to need it,” I replied. “Besides, you’re on board. If Lola finds out, she might really try hijacking the yacht.”

“I wouldn’t put it past her,” he replied dryly.

“Hell, we’d better screen each and every stripper who boards the ship this weekend,” said Marshall, with a devilish grin.

“I’ll let you do the honors,” I told him.

“Strippers?” said Ransom.

“He meant paint strippers,” I said innocently.

“Right. As long as there aren’t prostitutes,” reminded Ransom.

“Relax. I heard you the first time. There will not be any hookers onboard,” I said. “No stress, no worries, and no surprises this weekend. At least not the bad kind.”

Ransom smiled. “Sounds like the perfect weekend.”

Those words couldn’t have been farther from the truth…

Mia

Ridley and I worked all afternoon to create mouthwatering dishes for the stag party weekend. Besides prepping for the main courses, we made an array of appetizers, including several different types of wings, which Damian had insisted upon. We also planned on making jalapeno poppers, a couple of hearty dips, steak and chicken kabobs, and a cheesy beer bread that had been a hit at a previous party.

“For tonight’s dinner, we’re still serving walleye and crab, correct?” asked Ridley, going through our list of menu items.

“Yes,” I replied. “And barbeque ribs, for those who aren’t fish or seafood fans.”

Also Damian’s recommendation.

“Gotcha.”

As we were discussing the side dishes, the door opened and in walked Damian and Mr. Rock Star himself, Ransom. When Ridley noticed, she looked like she was about ready to faint. Thankfully, she kept her cool and was very calm when Damian introduced us.

“It’s very nice to meet you,” I said, staring at him. He was definitely a good looking man. Tall, broad shoulders, medium length jet-black hair, and eyes that were a silvery color.

“You, too,” he replied, smiling, which made him even more handsome. “I’m looking forward to eating this weekend. Damian’s been raving about the two of you.”

Ridley laughed nervously. “Did he also tell you that he hasn’t tried any of our food yet?”

“Hey, I’m not worried. I’ve heard nothing but good things about their cooking,” Damian said to Ransom. “And from the way everything smells in here, I think I’ve made an excellent choice.”

“I think you’re right,” he replied. “I thought I’d died and went to Heaven when we walked in. What are you making?”

“A bunch of different things,” I replied. “By the way, we should probably ask right now if you have any food allergies.”

“Hell, no. I’ll usually eat whatever’s in front of me as long as it’s not made out of tofu, goat cheese, or squid,” he replied.

“Damn, there goes to tonight’s menu,” I joked.

“Way to go,” Ridley said to me. “Now we’ll have to resort to Alaskan King crab and pecan-crusted walleye.”

“You two are killing me,” said Ransom. “Now my stomach is making noises that I’ve never heard before. When do we eat, exactly?”

“We’re going to be putting out some appetizers very soon,” I said.

Damian had mentioned that dinner should be served around eight, but to have snacks available beforehand.

“Yes, and if you’re really hungry, we’re also making a couple of flatbread pizzas, an Italian chopped salad, and portabella mushroom and steak sliders,” added Ridley.

“And that’s not even dinner? Wow, it sounds amazing. Just send all of it directly to my cabin,” said Ransom. “And give everyone else the tofu and squid s**t. Believe me, once they start drinking, they won’t care one way or another.”

Ridley and I chuckled.

“Hey, you’re the guest of honor,” said Damian, amused. “Whatever you want, you get.”

Ransom chuckled. “Words I’ll probably never hear again after this weekend. I might have to take advantage of it.”

“Oh, hell yeah,” said Damian. “It’s your last hurrah before being tied down for the rest of your life. Take full advantage of it. No offense, ladies.”

“None taken,” said Ridley.

“You know, marriage goes both ways,” I replied. “Women are tied down, too.”

“Which can sometimes be a good thing,” said Ransom, lightening the mood. “Depending on what room you’re in.”

We laughed.

“So, when are you getting married, by the way?” I asked him.

“In three weeks,” he replied.

“How exciting. How long have you known each other?” I asked.

“She was my sister’s best friend growing up. I’ve known her for many years,” he replied.

“It’s Tiffany, right?” asked Ridley. “The one who was on American Icon awhile back? With you as the judge?”

“Yeah,” he said with a sheepish grin. “You watched those episodes, huh?”

“Oh yeah. You were hard on her,” said Ridley.

“Yeah, I was,” he admitted. “But, I thought I was looking out for her best interests. Fortunately, it all worked out in the end.”

“She’s beautiful,” replied Ridley. “And what a voice.”

“I think so, too,” he replied. “I’m a lucky man.”

Damian’s phone went off. He checked his messages. “Marshall is wondering if the others have arrived at the airport yet?”

“Actually, their plane just landed a few minutes ago,” said Ransom, pulling out his phone. “I received a text from my buddy, Reed. They should be arriving within the hour.”

“Great. I’ll let my crew know so they can watch for them,” said Damian.

“Sounds great. It was nice meeting the both of you,” Ransom said, before heading toward the doorway with Damian.

“You as well,” I replied.

“Enjoy yourself this weekend,” said Ridley.

Damian put a hand on his shoulder. “Oh, he will. I’m going to make sure of it.”